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The Britons killed onboard flight MH17

Lawyer John Allen, 44, was killed on board flight MH17 along with with his Dutch wife Sandra Martens and their three sons Christopher, Julian and Ian, who were all listed as being Dutch.

His law firm NautaDutilh paid tribute to him in a statement on their website saying he was a "much-loved colleague" and a "person with many talents."

The tribute went on: "All of us who had the privilege of working with John during his 18 years at NautaDutilh came to know him as a kind, down-to-earth and humorous man and many of us have also lost a friend. He will be dearly missed."

Robert Ayley said he was looking forward to seeing the boys and his wife. Credit: Family handout

Married father-of-two Robert Ayley , 28, was from Guildford, Surrey but had settled in New Zealand with his wife Sharlene and their two young sons.

The dog breeder was returning home from a trip to Europe with a friend. Before he boarded flight MH17 he told his family he was "ready to come home."

His family said they were "desperately sad" he was on the flight and added: "He was always passionate about life, there were no half measures."

Helicopter rescue pilot Cameron Dalziel, 43, is thought to be South African but was travelling on a British passport. He moved to Malaysia with his wife Reine, and their two sons Sheldon, 14, and four year-old Cruz, to take up a job with CHC Helicopter.

It is understood Mr Dalziel had been sent for training in the Netherlands and was returning home on yesterday's Malaysia Airlines flight. Mr Dalziel's brother-in-law, Shane Hattingh, told Eye Witness News: "It's crazy, the kids are going to be absolutely shattered.

Maths student Richard Mayne, 20, was originally from Leicester but was studying maths and finance at Leeds University. He had recently returned from a charity fund-raising trip to Mount Everest in March.

He was a member of the university's rugby union club and Raise and Give society. John Wood, headmaster at his former school The Dixie Grammar School, said: ''Richard had a great thirst for life and he wanted to make the world a better place. It is tragic that his life has been cut short, especially under these circumstances - he had such a great future ahead of him."

International business student Ben Pocock, of Keynsham, Bristol, was in his second year at Loughborough University. He was flying out to begin a professional placement at the University of Western Australia in Perth as part of his third year.

In a statement to his family said: "He was a gifted academic, talented athlete but more importantly a warm, caring, fun loving son and brother who had an extremely bright future ahead of him."

Liam Sweeney was on his watch his beloved Newcastle United play. Credit: Facebook/Mark Sweeney

Liam Sweeney, 28, was travelling to see Newcastle United's pre-season tour of New Zealand. The football club said he would have been known to many fans during his time volunteering as a steward on supporters' buses to away games.

His friend Andrew Phillips, 21, said: ''He was a spot on kid, no bother at all, it's such a sad day. I'm sure he'll be looking down on us and will be proud that he has a memorial on Sir Bobby Robson's statue."

John Alder had reportedly missed only one Newcastle game since 1973. Credit: SWNS

Life-long Newcastle United supporter John Alder, 63, was also on his way to watch their preseason tour. Mr Alder had reportedly only missed one match in 50 years.

The Gateshead man was known as the Undertaker "because he always wore a black suit and white shirt to every match", his neighbour said. Margaret Bambra, 66, added: ''He was a lovely guy, never bothering anyone. He was Newcastle-mad. I really cannot believe it - it's totally devastating. He did not deserve this.''

Glenn Thomas appeared in an ITV Tonight documentary about the safety of e-cigarettes in January Credit: ITV Tonight

Former BBC journalist Glenn Thomas, 49, had been a media officer for the World Health Organisation in Geneva for more than a decade and was travelling to an International Aids Conference in Australia.

Originally from Blackpool, he leaves behind his partner Claudio and sister Tracey. WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib said: "We have lost a wonderful person and a great professional. Our hearts are broken. We are all in shock."

Former RAF search and rescue co-ordinator Stephen Anderson, 44, was from Scotland but moved to Malaysia four years ago with his wife Joanna, 37. The couple also have a daughter.

He worked as a hydraulic technicianfor offshore drilling company Maersk Drilling. A statement from them said: "It's with great sadness that we received confirmation from Stephen Leslie Anderson's family that he was on the passenger list and is presumed dead.

"Our thoughts go out to his family and we will make every effort possible to support and assist family and colleagues."

Andrew Hoare, 59, also died alongside his family - his Dutch wife and their two sons Friso and Jasper who were also Dutch citizens. Hugo Hoare told the BBC that his brother, who worked in banking, was a "warm, funny and wonderful man whose smile and character lit up a room".